Messages

151

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Switch Discussion (Review Embargo 3/1, 3/3 Release Date)

« on: February 20, 2017, 08:31:43 PM »

Since Nintendo will be charging for their online service now, they have to make a lot of improvements in order to justify the price, and maybe starting from scratch was easier than trying to improve whatever online infrastructure was in place under NNID. This is just my speculation as someone who has limited knowledge of these kinds of tech-related things though.

The single account aspect comes from everything being linked to your Nintendo Account. Even if they're using your NNID for eShop purchases (this could change for the Switch), using this new User ID for online play, and doing rewards through My Nintendo, it doesn't really matter if Nintendo only asks you for your Nintendo Account sign in information whenever you try to access these different services. It's not the most elegant solution, but it effectively achieves the "one account" goal. This is not completely set in stone yet (as Mop it up rightly pointed out many times), but that's probably how it should work given what we do know so far.

152

TalkBack / Re: Mario Sports Superstars (3DS) Hands-on Preview

« on: February 20, 2017, 04:05:41 PM »

Darn, sorry to hear that it's not leaving much of an impression on you. As someone who doesn't own either of the Camelot Mario sports game on 3DS, the fact that golf and tennis in this game are functionally similar to the standalone entries obviously won't bother me as much, but it's disappointing to hear that they're stripped down in terms of content. Baseball in this game just sounds sad (which might be even more disappointing to me). I guess four out of five games being functionally solid is pretty good, and having competent online multiplayer will help with the lack of content, but this is probably moving off my "day one purchase" list if the final reviews sound like this too.

GET MARIO GOLF: WORLD TOUR!!! Seriously, it has become my favorite Mario Golf entry ever, and one of my favorite arcade golf games of all time. Has lots of content, great courses both realistic and themed, good unlockables, and the DLC is well worth it!

Don't worry, it's on the list! The problem with these older first-party games I've skipped is that if I wait too long, I keep thinking I might as well wait for them to become Nintendo Selects or go on sale somewhere. I only just got New Super Mario Bros. 2 and Mario Kart 7 a few months ago for that reason.

153

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Switch Discussion (Review Embargo 3/1, 3/3 Release Date)

« on: February 20, 2017, 03:58:38 PM »

Perhaps the preview coverage will have a lot of limitations put on it and Nintendo is setting the review embargo that close to release to avoid spoilers as much as possible? They do seem to be more mindful of spoilers when it comes to Breath of the Wild. If reviews go up on March 2, there's only one day of extensive coverage before the game comes out.

154

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Switch Discussion (March 3, 2017 Release) -Updated OP-

« on: February 20, 2017, 02:37:33 PM »

According to Nintendo Force:

To be clear on embargoes: Switch Previews on February 23, Reviews March 1. Zelda Previews on February 24, Reviews March 2.

Soon, y'all. Soon!

155

TalkBack / Re: NIS America Press Event: Culdecept Revolt And RPG Maker FES Localized, Disgaea 5 Complete Dated

« on: February 18, 2017, 03:19:15 AM »

Culdcept Revolt is getting localized! Yay!

Culdcept Revolt is currently announced as being $60 in Canada! Not so yay!

I'm not going to complain too much, as I may just end up buying it at launch anyway. But this would be some exchange rate fuckery that puts even Nintendo to shame. I guess there's still hope that it just ends up being a placeholder and is lowered to the standard $50 at launch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG6YQ94zjT0


Relevant to the games mentioned.


GAPORI


Really cool to see Culdcept Revolt coming over.

I can't tell if they're being earnest or just playing it up. I can't tell if they're really good actors, or if I've just seen too much at this point.

156

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Switch Discussion (March 3, 2017 Release) -Updated OP-

« on: February 18, 2017, 02:59:38 AM »

you can freely link and unlink your NNID to the Nintendo Account of your choosing.

I'm sorry, but this is the part of your interpretation that I disagree with. This message is specifically popping up when the user chooses to format all data on the console. Therefore, all that is stated is that you can re-link your account to this specific console. As in, the console where it was already contained. Nowhere does it state that you can freely unlink it any time you want without using the console, nor does it state that you can go and link it to another console on your own. These is all things being assumed by people. And while I agree they are reasonable assumptions, I once again say that this is Nintendo we're talking about. Nothing like this is a given.

If that's the part you disagree with, you don't even need to take my word for it. Log in to your current Nintendo Account, unlink your NNID (which you can do with the click of a button), create a new Nintendo Account, and link your NNID to that new Nintendo Account. Your transaction history will be gone from your primary Nintendo Account, and it will appear on your new Nintendo Account. The fact that you can freely link your NNID to a Nintendo Account of your choosing is a verifiable fact, and has been for quite some time.

Also, it does not use the term "NNID" at all.

Which is why this message is encouraging in the first place. The part your purchases are tied to, your NNID, is not mentioned as being linked to the system. This message says the part that is linked to your system is the Nintendo Account. Even if you can only link one Nintendo Account to one console, it's irrelevant as long as your NNID can be moved freely (which, again, is what your purchases are tied to and can be moved between Nintendo Accounts at this very moment).

157

TalkBack / Re: Mario Sports Superstars (3DS) Hands-on Preview

« on: February 18, 2017, 12:11:09 AM »

Darn, sorry to hear that it's not leaving much of an impression on you. As someone who doesn't own either of the Camelot Mario sports game on 3DS, the fact that golf and tennis in this game are functionally similar to the standalone entries obviously won't bother me as much, but it's disappointing to hear that they're stripped down in terms of content. Baseball in this game just sounds sad (which might be even more disappointing to me). I guess four out of five games being functionally solid is pretty good, and having competent online multiplayer will help with the lack of content, but this is probably moving off my "day one purchase" list if the final reviews sound like this too.

158

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Switch Discussion (March 3, 2017 Release) -Updated OP-

« on: February 17, 2017, 11:35:57 PM »

The message says your Nintendo Account contains your purchase history and that you can redownload any software or DLC purchased using that account, your Nintendo Account's purchase history is based on whichever NNID is linked to it, and you can freely link and unlink your NNID to the Nintendo Account of your choosing. At the moment, as far as I know, these are all facts (if anyone can point me to information suggesting otherwise, please do!).

The only assumptions I'm making is that Nintendo is not going to make a last minute announcement saying that you have to lock or merge your NNID to one Nintendo Account, and/or that your Nintendo Account will start tracking your Switch software purchases independently of your NNID. Those announcements, among others, are still on the table (which is why I said I'm not taking this as 100% given yet), but I don't think I'm making any assumptions on how this would work if the current slate of facts holds true. Basically, Nintendo would have to go out of their way to screw this up now.

159

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Switch Discussion (March 3, 2017 Release) -Updated OP-

« on: February 17, 2017, 09:58:06 PM »

Sure it does. Your purchases are tied to your NNID. The message suggests that the Switch pulls your purchase history from your Nintendo Account, which pulls it from whichever NNID is linked to it. You can change which Nintendo Account your NNID is linked to in a matter of seconds, so this suggests that moving your purchases from one console to another is as simple as creating a new Nintendo Account on a second Switch and linking your NNID to that new Nintendo Account instead.

160

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Switch Discussion (March 3, 2017 Release) -Updated OP-

« on: February 17, 2017, 08:24:24 PM »

On a separate note, there's some text in that Switch unboxing video from today which seems to indicates that eShop purchases will be tied to your Nintendo Account and not the console. I'd wait until Nintendo directly spells it out in no uncertain terms before truly celebrating, but that's certainly encouraging.

There's always so much misinformation about this.

Technically, games purchased on Wii U and 3DS are tied to your account, it's just that the account is tied to one system. But that account is transferable through the user, or also through Nintendo if your system is lost or stolen. Even the Wii worked this way, and had an account that could be transferred through Nintendo. As was noted in the comments of that article, from the wording seen here, this doesn't necessarily indicate that things will be any different than they are now. To me, it sounds like your account may be easier to transfer from one system to another, but it will still be tied down to and accessible on just one system at a time.

While Nintendo can transfer accounts and purchases from lost or stolen systems right now, ultimately, it's still completely at their discretion. Nintendo of America has become more lenient in the last little while, but it wasn't long ago that getting your account and purchases transferred from a lost or stolen system was a hassle. More importantly, Nintendo will still outright refuse to do this in some instances. I remembering seeing a while ago that Matt Walker lost his 3DS and, in Japan, Nintendo told him there was nothing they could do about his account and his purchases. Other NWR staffers in Japan said that this is basically how things go there. Account or not, in the end, those purchases were effectively tied to his system, and it's the same for everybody else as long as the only guaranteed way to transfer your purchases is to have the system in your possession. If Nintendo has made it that so that you can freely move your purchases from one system to another without needing your current system (or Nintendo's assistance if you don't have it), as this message suggests, that is a fundamental change from how they currently handle digital purchases and truly makes it so that purchases are tied to an account and not a system.

161

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Switch Discussion (March 3, 2017 Release) -Updated OP-

« on: February 16, 2017, 11:13:01 PM »

On a separate note, there's some text in that Switch unboxing video from today which seems to indicates that eShop purchases will be tied to your Nintendo Account and not the console. I'd wait until Nintendo directly spells it out in no uncertain terms before truly celebrating, but that's certainly encouraging.

162

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Switch Discussion (March 3, 2017 Release) -Updated OP-

« on: February 16, 2017, 10:43:18 PM »

This is something I have been wondering about recently. Will the Switch have single card download play like the DS and 3DS? Or will games have a free multiplayer download version on the eShop? I liked that solution on new Mario Party for 3DS.

Download play was one of the best features of DS and 3DS, it would be annoying if every Switch game was multi card play only.

GameSpot asked Reggie about it in an interview last month. First he says that it would come down to the developer and the type of content they want to create (which makes it sound like it is possible), but then he ends by saying "the ability to do that [share one card among multiple devices] with the Nintendo Switch, we haven't commented publicly on, and I'm not going to do it here."

So, yeah, who the heck knows. I would place my bet on it supporting something like download play, as I can't see any real downside to it. Maybe it's just another part of the big list of stuff they're waiting to announce three days before launch (for some reason).

163

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Sales Panic: January 2017 US NPD Group Results

« on: February 16, 2017, 10:37:04 PM »

I'm glad to see that Dragon Quest VIII might have done somewhat better than Dragon Quest VII. The sales numbers for VII were pretty disappointing and, sadly, probably made Square Enix feel vindicated about their decision not to localize the game themselves.

164

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Official Switch Game Announcements

« on: February 15, 2017, 08:02:12 PM »

Some footage of the first-person mode was streamed earlier today if you wanna get a quick look at it. It starts near the 2 hour 57 minute mark:

165

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Switch Discussion (March 3, 2017 Release) -Updated OP-

« on: February 14, 2017, 05:36:47 PM »

On the topic of handheld-like experiences appearing on Switch, Aonuma talked about the possibility of 2D Zelda appearing on Switch in a new interview:

“The dev pace is not really dependent on how many people are on a team, so combining them would not necessarily expedite the development pace,” says Aonuma. “The 3DS team and the Wii U team have different approaches to game development, so I don’t necessarily want to combine them and have them think together, but rather have each think about what they can bring to Nintendo Switch from their own perspective.”

Aonuma then offered additional clarification, saying “The handheld development team will not be phased out because of Nintendo Switch. Switch will allow the users to bring their home console on the go, but this doesn't mean handheld game development like Nintendo 3DS will be discontinued.”

When we asked point-blank if there was a possibility that the 3DS Zelda teams were working on a new game for the Nintendo Switch, Aonuma said, “Yes, there is definitely a possibility.”

“There are definitely good things about the 2D world and the playstyles of the 2D world,” Aonuma says. “There are a lot of fans who enjoy that style. This Nintendo Switch style, which is the evolved style of gameplay is not necessarily… I want you to think of it more as an evolved style of 2D style. For the 3DS team, I am trying to make them think in a more evolved 2D-style approach.”

If a 2D Zelda team is working on something, I find it kind of hard to envision it being a 3DS game (even with Nintendo's insistence that the 3DS isn't going anywhere). It would be cool if we got a new mainline 2D Zelda on Switch not too long after Breath of the Wild. A co-op 2D Zelda that makes use of the Switch's unique hardware could be really interesting too.

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/02/14/a-2d-zelda-on-the-switch-is-definitely-a-possibility.aspx

166

TalkBack / Re: Expansion Pass Announced For Breath Of The Wild

« on: February 14, 2017, 05:16:36 PM »

There was quite an uproar when Nintendo initially announced their release plans for Fire Emblem Fates, and, for the most part, that worked out great. All we have right now is the basic outline for this expansion pass, and the value proposition could end up being great here as well.

Also, as others have already alluded to, I'm not exactly worried about this game shipping with a lack of content.

167

Nintendo Gaming / Splatoon 2

« on: February 12, 2017, 06:02:53 AM »

Nintendo just announced that Splatoon 2 will be getting a Global Testfire in March! I guess we should have expected this, in hindsight, but it's certainly a pleasant surprise.

There are six rounds that will last one hour each, like the Global Testfire for the original game, with the start times currently planned as follows:

March 24

12 PM pacific (3 PM eastern)
8 PM pacific (11 PM eastern)

March 25

4 AM pacific (7 AM eastern)
12 PM pacific (3 PM estern)
8 PM pacific (11 PM eastern)

March 26

4 AM pacific (7 AM eastern)

I don't expect to be done with Zelda by that weekend... but I'm down for at least four of those rounds. Watching that preview video has me super excited!

168

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Three... Weeks... 'til Switch day!!!

« on: February 10, 2017, 06:40:29 PM »

I've been keeping myself immersed in Dragon Quest VIII and other things, as I don't want to get too hyped with three weeks still to go... but it's getting hard to contain my excitement for launch. Amazon.ca is still showing my Switch console (along with games and accessories) as having an estimated arrival date of March 8-10, but I'm assuming/hoping that's just a placeholder. Kind of wish I got a preorder in at EB Games anyway, since they seem like the only retailer in Canada who might do a midnight launch. I'll just be happy to have the Switch on day one though, whenever I get it.

As for the lack of details surrounding some aspects of the console: I agree that we should know more about the Switch than we actually do at the moment, but, on the other hand, Nintendo is not going to have any trouble blowing through its initial shipment of consoles (according to Kimishima, they pretty much already have). It's weird that we don't know more about things like the account system this close to launch, but it's obviously not a big enough deal for everyone planning to buy the console on day one to take a wait and see approach. It doesn't make much of a difference whether you get these details today or the day before launch if you've already decided to buy it no matter what. 

There are going to be important details about it that are going to get revealed to us by the early adopters instead of Nintendo themselves.  That's pretty strange.

I'd be really surprised if Nintendo, a company so concerned with controlling the message that it doesn't even do press conferences at E3 anymore, would leave it to early adopters to reveal a lot of important details. I'm sure we'll get some more details in announcements or interviews, if not a full-blown video presentation.

"GameCube Virtual Console at launch" is starting to look a bit unlikely; however, if it is indeed happening, I can see Nintendo sitting on that news as one last "get excited about this fucking console" announcement just before launch. Based on some comments Reggie made a few weeks ago, it seems like Nintendo is aware that such an announcement would be a fairly big deal.

169

TalkBack / Re: Puyo Puyo Tetris Lands In West Late April

« on: February 09, 2017, 07:46:20 PM »

Gah, I really want those darn keychains. Between the added cost and the convenience of always having it on the system, I don't think I can really justify buying the physical version though.

170

TalkBack / Re: Smash Wii U, Melee Returning To EVO 2017 Fighting Game Tournament

« on: February 09, 2017, 07:40:02 PM »

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, unsurprisingly, won the final spot. Pokken Tournament put up a much better fight than I was expecting though and came just short of winning.

171

TalkBack / Re: Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (3DS) Review

« on: February 09, 2017, 07:37:35 PM »

I started playing this a few days ago with very high expectations, and this review certainty hasn't done anything to diminish them. That's an impressive amount of praise from you guys.

172

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Switch Discussion (March 3, 2017 Release) -Updated OP-

« on: February 07, 2017, 11:02:56 PM »

Mentioned this in another thread, but a pretty extensive TIME interview with Kimishima went up today. The highlights relating to Switch:

-Nintendo needs to get the console into the hands of a lot of gamers to effectively market it
-They're going to go above and beyond to make sure that we get an online service worth paying for
-A lot of internal discussion went into coming up with what they feel is a reasonable price
-The Switch currently does not support controllers designed for other systems. "Support for certain controllers may be considered for a future update"
-Games from past systems may be re-released for Switch, as either enhanced or original versions (in response to a question about emulating and/or porting Wii U games)
-Regarding the eShop, it will be possible to purchase and play downloaded software at launch
-No Internet browser at launch
-Nintendo is interested in VR and is doing research into it, still thinking about how to make it entertaining for consumers
-Nintendo is "not creating a successor to the 3DS right now." Still thinking about portable systems and how they can continue bringing them out, still thinking "of different ways to continue the portable gaming business"
-They believe Splatoon 2 and Arms have the suitable elements for eSports
-They are considering what "Nintendo-like" eSports can be as part of the business model, and the rewards for the outcome of the battle
-Launch day preorders have nearly reached the maximum available, production is increasing
-Kimishima feels the Switch is about bringing people together

There was a lot of interesting stuff in the interview, but when are they planning to give us detailed information on the online service, the eShop, and (most importantly) Virtual Console? We're less than four weeks away from launch at this point.

173

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 507: Get Pooched!

« on: February 07, 2017, 10:34:06 PM »

Oh, that's encouraging, Oedo!


My twitter feed wasn't as encouraging, especially a friend of mine who kept raging against the game and especially the final boss, which he had trouble beating. Said it was one of the worst games he played that year.


Then again, he said the same of 7th Dragon. "Too easy".


I'm currently exploring the Aeolus Vale in the present, in DQ7. Still enjoyable. But I kinda wish the ending were in sight, and yet I know I'm about maybe halfway through the game. I'll probably take a break before I burn out.

Huh, that's strange. I found the final boss battle in Dragon Quest VII to be very easy; I defeated it on my first try without a single party member going down at any point. I did save all my stat-boosting seeds to use right before the fight so I'd have better idea of where my party member's weaknesses were, and I did save most (if not all) of the best healing items I found throughout the game for this battle, but it felt like a relatively straightforward battle in general. As long as your party is set up to buff and debuff very quickly, it shouldn't be difficult at all.

Aeolus Vale definitely felt like it was past the halfway point to me, but you do still have a lot of (good) game ahead of you. Taking a break at some point is probably a good idea, yeah.

174

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Not a hater but... (future prediction)

« on: February 07, 2017, 10:05:31 PM »

According to a TIME interview with Kimishima, "launch day preorders have nearly reached the maximum available," and Nintendo is increasing its production of Switch. With respect to the UK, market factors outside of Nintendo's control have led to retailers pricing the Switch much higher than they would have a year ago (which is no doubt having an impact on preorders, as RFN's own Greg Leahy can attest to). From an objective, fact-based perspective, I don't see how you can view the overall pre-release position of Switch as anything other than positive.

175

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Thoughts on Nintendo Switch After Attending the Toronto Preview Event

« on: February 07, 2017, 09:59:17 PM »

That was great.  Thanks.  It is interesting to see how different people people perceive the Pro controller and if it is needed.  Like you, the price is putting me off getting it at launch.  I hope the Joy-Con work well for Zelda.

I'm looking forward to the Japanese publishers shifting their resources to the Switch as the 3DS gently finishes its lifecycle.  The 3DS was great, but the Switch offers so much more.

Me too! I'm glad we're already seeing games like Project Octopath Traveler and Shin Megami Tensei HD announced for the console. I'm really hoping it takes off in Japan quickly and soaks up a lot of the Vita developers too.

Cool impressions, can't wait to try it myself.

So hey maybe I missed it in your impressions but did you get to touch the screen? If so what does it feel like, glass or plastic? Glasstic?

It felt and looked like glass to me (the image quality was really sharp), but I'm not 100% sure. Along with the split D-pad, this was one of the things I wish I spent a bit more time getting a handle on.

Nice write up.
I really want to try the Switch, but unlike the 3DS and Wii U, Nintendo Australia arent touring the country with it. there was only the main Switch event last month and an expo a few days ago.
I will just have to wait until I pick mine up on launch day

Ah, that's a shame. On the bright side, at least there's only four weeks left!

I'll add my thanks for the write-up.

I guess I'm most curious about the Joycon grip at this point, but it doesn't sound like it made much of an impression. It frankly looks kind of awful, but Nintendo hasn't made an awkward controller since the N64. Although now we're in combined handheld, territory, so . . . But anyway, I found the Wiimote + Nunchuk an extremely comfortable way to play games, so I'm hoping I can just ignore the grip (no way I'm shelling out for a pro controller unless Switch is in deep discount by the time I break down and buy one).

My impression of Arms from the reveal is also very blah, and your impressions don't change that. It just . . . looks like a bonus mode in another game or something. Granted I'm not the biggest fighting game fan outside of Smash, but Arms seems like a weird middle ground between an arcadey party game and an actual 1v1 fighting game.

The Joy-Con Grip doesn't feel as weird as it looks (for whatever that's worth), but I think it could become uncomfortable to use over longer play sessions. It's on the smaller side as far as controllers go, and I don't think the layout does it any favors either. I'm probably going to play Breath of the Wild with split Joy-Con or in handheld mode most of the time; unfortunately, that's probably not going to work for every game. Something like Splatoon 2, for example, is going to benefit from the Pro Controller a lot. I think, at some point, it's going to become a necessity for people who spend a lot of time playing the Switch in front of a TV. But, yeah, hopefully it comes down in price or comes as part of a bundle by then.

Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy Arms. I'm getting the impression that you expected it to be less deliberate and technical because of the motion controls, is that correct...?

I really appreciate the write-up. It's always cool to see impressions from site members!

I kind of expected it to be more fast-paced and less deliberate after seeing how hard Nintendo is pushing it as a competitive fighting game (or at least an eSports game). Perhaps this is just my own view of things, but for any game to find success in the competitive or eSports arena, there needs to be a high level of depth when it comes to developing and demonstrating skill with that game. With Arms, I thought a lot of that would come from the speed of the game and it being more reaction-based than it was. But, as I said, the time I had with it was limited, and I can see how there could be a lot of hidden depth to this game that reveals itself over time.

Thank you for the kind words! Glad y'all enjoyed this!